You voted for it: Child-Friendly Churches

In last week's poll we asked you how child-friendly your church is.  About two thirds said their church was "Very friendly!" and the other third thought theirs was "Pretty friendly".  But what actually makes a church child-friendly?

Viva believes a child-friendly church is one that treats children as an integral part of its congregation, and where children are invited and encouraged to worship and serve just the same as adults (but with a child-friendly twist).  Programmes like Sunday school are great for teaching children about God, but Sunday school can't be the only thing a church offers its children.

We also believe that in order for a church to be child-friendly, it needs to be safe for children of all ages.  That means the buildings themselves need to be made safe, and also that churches need to have and implement child protection policies, and train staff to care for and protect children.

Churches have a responsibility not only to care for the children who worship in their buildings, but also for the children who live and play in their neighbourhoods.  This could look like after-school programmes for local kids with working parents, or a volunteer-run kitchen for children whose parents can't afford to provide them with breakfast (like our feeding centres in Costa Rica).

So... do you still rate your church child-friendly?  Although a Viva Child-Friendly Church is usually found in Africa, churches in the developed world have a duty to be child-friendly too.  Western Christians can't fall prey to complacently thinking their church is child-friendly just because it offeres programmes for children.  Every grown-up member of a church congregation needs to be vigilant in ensuring their church is taking care of its children and including them in all of the best ways.

If you have ideas for making churches child-friendly, or examples of how your church loves its children, please let us know on our Facebook page.